To celebrate the upcoming movie, two guests will be able to live like the Earl and Countess of Grantham at Downton Abbey.
Highclere Castle, the real-life set of the popular period series will be available to book on Airbnb for one night only.
The listing will open on 1 October and for £150 (about R2,750) the first super fans to make the booking will be treated to the full Downton Abbey treatment.
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The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, the real owners of the estate, will invite their guests for exclusive cocktails in the saloon followed by a traditional dinner in the state dining room, being waited on by Highclere Castle’s own butler, whose name is unfortunately not Carson.
After dinner, coffee will be served in the library before the guests retire to one of the principal bedrooms with an en-suite bathroom and views over 1,000 acres of rolling parkland. But don’t expect to be undressed by your personal valet or lady’s maid.
Before leaving the next day, the guests will be taken on a private tour of the castle’s extensive grounds which includes over 100,000 square feet and a total of 300 rooms. Although they won’t be accompanied by Isis, the estate is home to 9 friendly dogs.
During their stay, guests can explore iconic rooms from Downton Abbey, such as the drawing room and the library.
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‘It’s an absolute privilege and pleasure to call Highclere Castle my home and I am delighted to be able to share it on Airbnb for a truly unique stay. Highclere Castle has been in the Carnarvon family since 1679 and has an incredibly rich history. I am passionate about the stories and heritage of Highclere Castle, and I am looking forward to welcoming our future guests,’ said Lady Carnavon.
Additional rules for staying at the castle from the Airbnb listing are:
- No pets allowed, but 9 friendly dogs on site!
- No smoking
- All newspapers must be ironed
- Strictly one butler per person
- Cocktail dress is de rigueur for dinner
- Gossip restricted to downstairs quarters only
- Listing is midweek because after all – ‘What is a weekend?’
